Palace hit for allowing China into Benham Rise

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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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January 27, 2018
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MANILA – The government should not underestimate the capacity of Filipinos to conduct research in Benham Rise, according to Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV.

Sen. Nancy Binay, on the other hand, called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to disclose the dealings with China to survey the region.

“Huwag nating maliitin ang kakayahan ng mga Pinoy scientists na magsagawa ng pananaliksik sa Benham Rise. Hindi natin kailangan ang China para gawin ito,” said Aquino.

In the interest of transparency, according to Binay, it would be best for the DFA to share to the public the extent of the study, research and exploration of China in Benham Rise.

“And since it is the DFA which approves or disapproves scientific researches in both the West and East Philippine seas, it is only appropriate if they could provide a list of all Filipino- and foreign-led expeditions in our waters since 2010,” added Binay.

While Malacañang claimed that only China is “qualified” for the initiative, Aquino, the chairman of the Senate committee on science and technology, said some Filipino scientists have already explored resource-rich Benham Rise.

“Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ginagawa na iyan for the past so many years. Kaya malaking pagkakamali na sabihing sa China lang tayo puwedeng sumandal para sa isyung ito,” he said.

Aquino urged the Duterte government to involve Filipino scientists in exploring the natural resources of Benham Rise.

“It is part of our territory, so it is best if we will be ones who will explore it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Binay said there is nothing wrong for the government to disclose the details of China’s research in Benham Rise.

“Mas mabuti nang malaman natin kung hanggang saan ang tulong na ibibigay ng China sa atin sa pagre-research. If it does not undermine the country’s sovereignty, then I don’t see anything wrong why the DFA cannot provide us with the details of the agreement between the Philippines and China,” the senator added.

Sen. Leila de Lima, on the other hand, said granting China access to Benham Rise only proved that President Rodrigo Duterte “is owned and controlled by China.”

“Hindi ba nila alam mahigit isang dekada nang nagsasaliksik ang mga Pilipino sa Benham Rise? Ano ba namang klaseng gobyerno ito? Ipinamimigay na nga ang ating mga teritoryo, napakababa pa ng tingin sa mga Pilipino,” said de Lima.

The detained senator said she will file a resolution calling for an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the acts of Duterte and DA secretary Alan Peter Cayetano allowing China to explore Benham Rise.

“Ginoong Duterte, kung may utang na loob ka sa China, huwag mong ipambayad ang dangal ng lahing Pilipino,” she said./PN
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